BRITISH AND FOREIGN SAILORS' SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18515, 28 March 1922, Page 7

BRITISH AND FOREIGN SAILORS' SOCIETY

The annual meeting of the British and Foreign Sailors’ Society was held last night at the Sailors’ Rest, the president (Mr John Wilkinson) in tho chair. Proceedings were opened with devotional exorcises. The annual report, in reviewing the work done at the two sailors’ rests at Dunedin and Port Chalmers, lamented tho declination, of shipping, which had lessened their scope, but the hon. missioners had seized every opportunity to benefit the sailors, and had found their efforts highly appreciated. Tho result of the work was not easily discernible, but the workers were content to carry on and leave results in the hands of God. Mr William Buchan (honorary missioner) reported that only 44 overseas vessels had called at Dunedin during the year. All had been visited and their crews invited to partake of the hospitality of tha Rest. Tho response was invariably encouraging. Frequent suppers were provided by Mrs Inglia, “the mother of the Rest,” and her helpers. Men from the coastal vessels had also availed themselves of tho advantages of the Rest. Mr D. K. Walker (the honorary missioner) and his zealous wife and their workers had had more plentiful shipping to deal with at Port Chalmers, and had been indefatigable in their labours. Over 50 deep sea boats had visited the port, and the crews had been entertained. A special tea was provided at Christmas time, and was greatly enjoyed by the seamen. Mrs Lee liad continued her valued and voluntary services as caretaker, and Miss Johnstone had continued to collect funds. Mr Walker’s report concluded with a hope of a revival in the shipping trade, thus opening larger avenues of usefulness. During the year the society had lost by death Mr Chris. God by. and Mr A. J. Love and the Rev. J<av C. Stewart by removal. Miss Inglis and Mr Buchan had visited the hospital to comfort and cheer seamen who had been patients. Miss -Inglis had also rendered valued services as collector. They had received £22 10s from the Public Subscription Association, and £5 18s 3d since the books had been closed ! The Harbour Board repealed its donation of £lO 10s. Mrs Palmer, who acted for some time as caretaker of tho city Rest, was compelled by increasing infirmity to resign her position, and Mr* M’Kanzio had been appointed in her place. The society had at last acquired the benefit accruing from, a site vested in trustees many years ago by the Harbour Board for tho erection of a Sailors’ Homo. This had been repurchased by the Harbour Beard on an undertaking to repay £2OO whenever the society shall erect new premises, and meanwhile the board was paying 5 per con<. per annum on that amount. With a view to bringing the various dominion branches into more vital touch with the headquarters of the society, Mis* Weymouth, representing the London executive, had visited New Zealand. While wishing Miss Weymouth all success in this object, the committee objected to the London proposal that a dominion board. , should be formed in Wellington. They were convinced that it would be better that each branch should manage its own affairs. As an evidence that the work of the Dunedin Rest was appreciated, a letter had been received from a Scandinavian who had received benefit in it 20 years ago, and forwarded 100 kronen (£5) aa a practical proof of his gratitude. Similar expressions of thankfulness were continually coming to hand. After expressing a hope that the churches would more fully recognise the work -lone by the Rests, the report concluded with an expression of confidence in the future. The Rev. Guy Thornton moved the adoption of the report. He said that one thing that, struck him as a landsman was the very sad lack of community of feeling between landsmen and sailors. It was hard for them to understand each other, but if they had community of feeling the work done by the rests would be deepened and increased. How rarely was there a specific prayer offered up for sailors in churches? This lack was because landsmen did not understand the dangers the sailors encountered. Seamen were particularly susceptible to the preaching of the gospel of Christ, and when they geft a sailor for Christ they secured a missionary. God blessed them all as they worker for others, and service and selfsacrifice were the keystone of Christianity. Mr A. fi. Heycock seconded the motion, which was carried. The treasurer read tho balance sheet, which showed that the receipts for the year totalled £l3O 16s fid, and the expenditure (including a debit balance of £24 18s 3d from last year) £l2B 15s 7d, leaving a balance in hand of £2 0s lid. The receipts for the Port Chalmers Rest totalled £67 13s fid (including £ll 13s fid from last year), and the expenditure £49 17s 3d, leaving a credit balance of £l7 16s 3cl. Mr W. S, iteddell mo.ved the adoption of tiie report, and remarked that if the churches recognised their full share of re. sponaibility it would not be necessary to go round collecting funds for the mission. Mr H. K. Wilkinson, in seconding the motion, said they ought to lie, grateful for the amount of support given to the mission. Jhey were rich because of the fewness of Ivanl *• 1 hod an income of only £l3O. and were not, able to throw money abonf, but tli© value of the work done wag wonderful. The rests were very’ cheering to the sailors, and the public recognised The work done. There was always money available for them, but it had to be collected. The motion was carried. The Rev. F. M. Beattie moved—“ That this annual meeting commends the Sailors’ Society to tho support of the public and appeals to the churches of the city to render financial assistance to the work which it carries on in their name for the benefit of the seamen who visit our ports.” He romanced that h© was no new chum among aailors, aa nine years of his life had been •pent at Genoa, where some 1800 or 1900 mgn passed through their hands in a year. This referred to sailors on merchantmen, and sometimes they had some of the Mediterranean Squadron there—eight ships, with from 800 to 1070 men on each—and these sometimes stayed for eight or 10 days; yet during that time only two men the worse for liquor had been 'brought to mem. ‘phis was largely tho result of Miss Agues Weston’s work. They wer© there to do all they could for the sake of the men who sailed the sea. They must be treated ns men. There might not bo so much danger for sailors in Dunedin as in larger ports, but there was a danger, and that was why tho rests were established. Mr Beattie gave a number of interesting incidents that had come under his notice at Genoa, and concluded by remarking that personal influence and a kindly welcome to sailors realised the full value of God’s blessing Mr Beckingsale seconded the motion, winch was carried. Officers.—The following are tho officers for the ensuing year President, Mr John Wilkinson; vice-presidents. Revs. J. M. Simpson and 11. H. K. Kcmpton; hon. secretary. Mr 11. If. Driver; hon. treasurer, Mr CV I',. Beckingsale; hon. auditor, Mr Hugh Mitchell; committee-—Messrs J. W. Todd, If. K. Wilkinson, W. Buchan, A. Paterson, Henry Roddell. J. Tail. Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt, Miss Johnston. Mrs and Miss Inglis. Mr D. T. K. Walker, and Revs. F. M. Beattie and Guy Thornton. During the evening Miss O. Inglis sang a solo, and the rest choir sang two choruses. The meeting cloeed with tho pronouncing of the benediction.